HAWK 
405 
for it took wing and flew as far as the forest of 
Belesme. I gave it up for lost; but four hours 
after, I saw it rush into my hall, which was open, 
pursued by five other buzzards, who had constrained 
it to seek again its asylum. 
u After this adventure, it ever preserved its fide- 
lity to me, coming every night to sleep on my win- 
dow ; it grew so familiar as to seem to take singular 
pleasure in my company. It attended constantly 
at dinner, sat on a corner of the table, and very 
often caressed me with its head and bill, emitting a 
weak sharp cry, which, however, it sometimes 
softened. It is true that I alone had this privilege. 
It one day followed me when 1 was on horseback, 
more than two leagues, flying above my head. 
“ It had an aversion both to dogs and cats; nor 
was it in the least afraid of them : it had often tough 
battles with them, but always came off victorious. 
I had four very strong cats, which I collected into 
my garden with my buzzard ; I threw to them a bit 
of raw flesh ; the nimblest cat seized it, the rest 
pursued ; but the bird darted upon her body, bit 
her ears with his bill, and squeezed her sides with 
his talons so forcibly, that the cat was obliged to 
relinquish her prize. Often another cat snatched it 
the instant it dropped ; but she suffered the same 
treatment, till the buzzard got entire possession of the 
plunder. He was so dexterous in his defence, that, 
wherj he perceived himself assailed at once by the 
four cats, he took wing, and uttered a cry of exultation. 
